Chapter 6

Amelia wore hers. At first glance, it looked like an innocuous white sweater with a wide red band that had rows of demure diamonds trimming the top and bottom edges. Until you took a double-take at the three white reindeer in that field of red and saw what they were doing, which was…each other.

Bryan and Amelia’s parents approached with wide smiles and open arms. “Merry Christmas!” they sing-songed.

Amelia rescued the chafing dish from Victor’s hands, and Bryan dropped their shopping bag of gifts while they went through the hug gauntlet. Those embraces and accompanying murmurs of “So glad you’re here,” and “Come in and take your coats off,” were so warm, accepting, and genuine, that if Victor had had any remaining holiday blues smothering his usual cheer, that would have pulled him out the rest of the way.